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BeyondBlue Hello! Read this if you're not sure how to get started
  • replies: 0

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with Depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for ... View more

Welcome This section of the Beyond Blue Forums is for talking about our experiences with Depression. There are lots of chats about how it makes us feel, what it’s like to live with depression and what has worked to help in these times. Thank you for coming this far, we know it can be really hard to take these steps if depression is in your life - we see you and think this is a great step. To get the most out of this space we have a few tips: Get involved. The Forums work best for you when you get active and post where you can. Now, we know that can be really hard, especially when you are experiencing depression. So, if you can post something supportive to someone else here, that would be an incredible start. Speak from the heart. This community wants to know how YOU feel and what has worked for YOU. We trust that you have something unique to say and we can’t wait to hear it. Check in. Lots of the chats on this Forum having been going for years and they are some of the richest conversations we have. Keep checking in to get new ideas and offer your support. We know it can be tough to start, but when you are ready we want to hear your thoughts. If you need some time to get to know the community, that's okay! Have a look around and see where you want to get involved. Thank you for being here Beyond Blue

Jeriava How do I talk to my doctor?
  • replies: 9

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really ... View more

I’ve been struggling with my life for the past 7-8 years but I finally made an appointment with a doctor. I feel really scared though because I don’t ever go to the doctor for anything, and I havent seen this doctor for so many years that I’m really scared that they’ll judge me or won’t believe anything I say. I’m really anti social so I feel like I won’t be able to say what I wanna say or I’ll say the wrong thing causing them to just dismiss me and move me along without helping. I’m just tired of feeling alone, depressed and just worthless but I’m really scared to talk to them.

AGrace SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION
  • replies: 132

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the ... View more

Hi Everyone, Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list... Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the 5 senses Distress Tolerance – Accepting Emotions and Self Soothing Distraction – Put the thoughts/feelings aside and come back to them when you are ready to deal with them Positive Affirmations – Have some affirmations written down repeat them to yourself daily Sleep/Exercise/Diet – All 3 aspects of our lifestyle can impact the way we think/feel Increasing Pleasurable Activities – Engage in at least one pleasurable activity per day

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rhiannon13 Mental health spiraling back down again
  • replies: 2

I thought my depression and anxiety was getting better, I've been seeing a psychiatrist for the past year and after agreeing that my mental health was getting back on the right track I've stopped having sessions. That was 2 months ago and the first m... View more

I thought my depression and anxiety was getting better, I've been seeing a psychiatrist for the past year and after agreeing that my mental health was getting back on the right track I've stopped having sessions. That was 2 months ago and the first month leading into the new year I felt so happy and felt like I was slowly escaping it all. But this last month has just had my mental health spiraling back down again and I've found myself in the worst states and I don't know what to do about it. I was taken into hospital last week while on holiday with some friends and thinking back to that night and the mental place I was in scares me so much. I know I need to go back to my doctor but thinking about talking to anyone always makes me so nervous. I'm stuck on what to do and feel as if I've taken 100 steps back and sat at square one again..

AlexClaire I feel very alone.
  • replies: 4

Hi Guys,Where to start. I'll try to keep it brief.I' m 28, have suffered with depression for the last 10 years caused by a head injury when I was 18. Been on medication off and on since then but have been on the highest dose for around 4 years, I am ... View more

Hi Guys,Where to start. I'll try to keep it brief.I' m 28, have suffered with depression for the last 10 years caused by a head injury when I was 18. Been on medication off and on since then but have been on the highest dose for around 4 years, I am been completely off it for the last 2 months. I am struggling. So so much. I have only been in Australia for just under two months having moved over with my boyfriend of over 3 years. There are a lot of firsts with this. First time we have lived together just the two of us, first time we have moved across the other side of the world together, first time I have been unemployed in a while etc etc. I'm really struggling. I' m so alone, spending so much time alone as he works 5 days a week, he has his mother and his sister here, I have nobody, I don't know anybody, we have so little money I'm trying not to spend anything so am not going out. He says I have a 'bad attitude'. That I'm being defeatist and negative about everything. Which is true. My mother is a very negative person and I think it's brushed off on me rather nicely. I'm taking everything out on him because there IS nobody else to take anything out on. I literally don't talk to anyone else unless it's on skype or whatever. And that's not talking. I just don' t know what to do, I'm not even really sure why I'm writing this I know other people have it much worse. I just have nobody. Why can I not just see the positives in life? Is my current mood just an effect of not being medicated in which case should I have stayed on them? I'm fairly sure we're nearing break up because he says he can't be around negative people. Then in which case, I'm across the other side of the world all alone and don't have the money to go back home. So. Honestly though, I am feeling very defeatist today. I would be quite happy if the world came and swallowed me up because right now its just to much pain and uncertainty. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

somebody1209 help for people with chronic depression
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I have chronice depression and i go through everyday with a pretend smile on my face and thinking about suicide. I am on medications but sometimes they struggle to work sometimes. Im just wondering if there is somebody out there that can help me beyo... View more

I have chronice depression and i go through everyday with a pretend smile on my face and thinking about suicide. I am on medications but sometimes they struggle to work sometimes. Im just wondering if there is somebody out there that can help me beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636

Laurennn Can't take this anymore
  • replies: 10

Hi all, I posted in here a little while ago about anxiety. A few months ago I went through an extremely stressful process at my work due to me putting in a complaint against an older man at my work. They turned the process around and I nearly lost my... View more

Hi all, I posted in here a little while ago about anxiety. A few months ago I went through an extremely stressful process at my work due to me putting in a complaint against an older man at my work. They turned the process around and I nearly lost my job. They ended up changing their minds when I threatened legal advice & I kept my job. During that process I developed anxiety - even though I was convinced it was going crazy! (I've never had it before) and now I believe I've got some depression symptoms. Even though I kept my job, the feeling just hasn't gone away! I can't bring myself to go back to work after what they did to me so I'm currently in the process of going on income protection. I know I should consider myself lucky that I have a job, but it all just seems too much at the moment. The last month I have hardly left the house. My family is worried & wants me to go & stay with them but I just want to be alone. I wake up every morning & it's just too much to get out of bed. My housemates tells me to 'stop feeling sorry for myself' which makes me feel even worse. Before all of this, I lived a normal life for a 23 year old. I had a good job, friends & a life! Within 2 months, my life has turned & now here I am. A lazy depressed mess. I love life & I don't want to be like this but I've let it take over! I'm seeing the doctor again & my first psychologist appointment on Tuesday - I hope it helps! Does anyone have any advice to get my life back on track? I WILL drive myself crazy if I stay in this room for another month.

Braveface Needed an outlet
  • replies: 3

What does living with depression feel like, why is it so bad. Well personally it feels like I am a hand grenade with the pin about to fall out. But how did the pin get loose. Well while the pin is in the pain increases so I pull it out a bit maybe tu... View more

What does living with depression feel like, why is it so bad. Well personally it feels like I am a hand grenade with the pin about to fall out. But how did the pin get loose. Well while the pin is in the pain increases so I pull it out a bit maybe turn my music up full ball and scream into a pillow, or randomly lock my self away and cry. The worst part of this is I have no idea why I am doing it. Sure I am not a millionaire and my job sucks arse at the moment but I am not the only one in the world with a shitty job and no money. I read once a beautiful website that was made to make you think before you commit suicide, obviously it worked and I use it daily. The line that sticks in my head is about the pain. Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain. So why not take a pill and get over it. Well this is my bodies sick way of having a crack at me, you see antidepressants work for a time for some people they work for great. Others such as my self they last until you convince yourself that you don't want to look like a druggie and have to scoff pills daily so you stop taking them and pull the pain pin out a bit more to subside the pain and the vicious circle continues. I am a single dad of 3 young boys that I love to death, I would do anything to see them happy so at the moment I have that pain pin welded in but the pain is still there. I have found myself saying if their mother grows up and finds good man the boys won't need me any more and I can end my fight with the pain pin...lovely thought to live with right...... I wrote the above about two months ago. I just got a well paying job thought this would help subside the pain, well kind of hoped it would. But again I find my self putting on that brave face pretending to every one that I am fine. I just want out I am tired. I know that pills don't make me a druggie but my head screams at me everytime I consider them. beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

kiwi_girl depression and panic attacks after home invasion
  • replies: 4

I have experienced a home invasion. At night home alone have panic attacks and depression. Too scared to sleep and my depression is keeping me away from people. Feel not like I used to at all anyone got advice on how to cope. Please

I have experienced a home invasion. At night home alone have panic attacks and depression. Too scared to sleep and my depression is keeping me away from people. Feel not like I used to at all anyone got advice on how to cope. Please

Stormgrl101 Here IT goes again
  • replies: 4

today I saw my psychologist finally after a long 4 weeks. I have been feeling particular bad lately, due to recent changes in friendship and moving back to parents house, and she asked me if I'd had thoughts of hurting myself, which I had. So she sai... View more

today I saw my psychologist finally after a long 4 weeks. I have been feeling particular bad lately, due to recent changes in friendship and moving back to parents house, and she asked me if I'd had thoughts of hurting myself, which I had. So she said it was time to go back to the doc for a medication review because it's obviously not working. I feel sad and anxious about it, trying new medication. i just don't understand how or if I am ever going to truly "get better" if I've been like this my whole life? Like I don't know how to think or act any differently and yet I've been trying for the past year to get my life back on track but as I was told today I have spent more time 'watching life from the sidelines' then actually being involved... I don't know why I'm posting, I just feel hopeless.

Zoomah Helping friends understand my depression - Adventures in Depression
  • replies: 3

Was talking to a friend last week who linked me this comic. It is amazing. It has been used in psychology journals to demonstrate what depression is like. I got my parents to read it so they could properly understand what I feel like all the time. Ev... View more

Was talking to a friend last week who linked me this comic. It is amazing. It has been used in psychology journals to demonstrate what depression is like. I got my parents to read it so they could properly understand what I feel like all the time. Even though they are supportive they still didn't fully understand until they read this. Professor Jonathan Rottenberg - “I know of no better depiction of the guts of what it’s like to be severely depressed: Clutching your blanket, you are born into the baffling, boring, disorienting state that is depression – radically out of phase with the rest of humanity, unable to understand the concerns of other people, nor able to communicate yours to them.: Hyperbole and a Half - Adventures in Depression - (I never experienced the end of this one but most of it applied. Hyperbole and a Half - Depression 2- This one is what I'm like (MOD NOTE: Links contain profanity)

crankypants Hmmm, this IS difficult.....
  • replies: 10

Hi all. Didn't realise how hard it is to start off the first post! Obviously I am a newcomer to the site but thought I needed to try something. Why am I here???? Glad you asked. I am so over feeling upset and annoyed by things that apparently, should... View more

Hi all. Didn't realise how hard it is to start off the first post! Obviously I am a newcomer to the site but thought I needed to try something. Why am I here???? Glad you asked. I am so over feeling upset and annoyed by things that apparently, should not really bother me that much. I do not enjoy feeling this way so often, and I just wish I could be the happy me more of the time. I am sure my wife feels the same about this too. I do tend to get upset/angry when things go wrong, especially if I am unable to steer events where I either think, or know they should go. I have little to zero tolerance for frustration. Unfortunately my reactions are apparently not commensurate with the situation. I accept this is true. I do not get physically violent, but fail miserably to control my "verbal anger" when my frustration reaches a certain level. Unfortunately, my poor wife is the only other occupant of our house so she is the only other person that deals with this. She says that once a bad or annoying situation has been rectified, I simply go looking for another one. And she is right. Negativity is my constant companion. Has been for as long as I can remember. I make no real attempt at making close friends as I feel as though people see me as silly, annoying, loud (I am partially deaf so I do tend to talk too loud like you do when wearing headphones), not as successful as them and generally not "friend-worthy". Other than my years as a muso, I have no hobbies or outside interests as I feel everyone will be looking at me, for all the wrong reasons........even though there might be many other people there too....I am the one that stands out because I feel awkward, ungainly, inept or just plain stupid. And yet, put me on a stage in front of thousands and I am Mr. Confident. And I loved it for nearly 30 years. Go figure! Lately I have become, I am sure, almost too much to tolerate and my fear is my wife will soon say she's had enough. I just do not understand me. No confidence. Always seeing the negative. The glass is not only half empty, but it should be a bigger glass too. I have relatively good health, a wife that I love and trust to the moon and back, and she loves me dearly also. We are both employed and about to purchase another home together. We are certainly not rich but not struggling either. I find that my negativity to so much, frustrates me and cripples me and causes me to feel annoyed, therefore negative. Just one massive circle!! Am I unique??

Magyarok Hypocrite
  • replies: 6

My wife has jealously issues and is a control freak eg she hates it when i exercise as she's afraid that i'll be attractive to other girls. I'm often faced with ridiculous questions such as 'Do you love her?' and 'Do you wish you were with her and no... View more

My wife has jealously issues and is a control freak eg she hates it when i exercise as she's afraid that i'll be attractive to other girls. I'm often faced with ridiculous questions such as 'Do you love her?' and 'Do you wish you were with her and not me?' These concerns are unfounded, i've done nothing wrong and i haven't acted in a manner to raise concerns! It is her paranoia! We have an absolutely gorgeous 5yo daughter. My wife suffered post natal depression and our marriage was on the rocks and a couple of years back we almost broke up. Over the last 18 months i made a real commitment for change, i thought we were getting closer, i thought things were getting better so i thought! My wife's jealously issues continued e.g. two weeks ago i was interrogated by her because of a mutual work colleague who was flirting with me in front of her. I could understand her concerns you know beautiful 18yo girl throwing herself at me, it was flattering considering she is 23 years my junior but i didn't do anything to encourage this and i certainly didn't give in to temptation. But still i had to endure my wife's interrogation and repeated questioning and accusations. I can understand this! Then last week she had another jealously fit, this time because i provided a former female work colleague with info to help for a job interview. How could anyone possibly be jealous over that? I don't understand! But get this! I accidently found out over the weekend that she has been texting a former partner on a regular basis which has been going on for the last 18 months behind my back. I'm sure they're not talking about just the weather. She assures me that she is doing nothing wrong - maybe she is or maybe she isn't, i don't know! All i know is that she values his friendship! But the thing that really gets me is that her jealously outbursts against me was disgusting and unfounded and then i find out she has been doing this over the last 18 months when we were supposed to be working on our marriage! If the above situation was reversed i would be subject to all sorts of accusations and rightly so. But apparently for her to do this is perfectly acceptable, explainable, justifiable and i have no right to be concerned. So what does that make her? Her double standards sicken me and i have never felt so distant from her. The last 18 months have been i lie and obviously her interpretation of working things out is different to mine! Can't stand the sight of her Dave